Conveyer.



No. 659,838. y Patented Oct. I6, |900.

J. (l. ADAMS.

CNVEYER.

(Application filed Dec. 18, 1899.) (Nu Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

` waffe/S No. 659,838. Patented Dot. I6, |900. J. (l. ADAMS.

CDNVEYER.

(Application filed Dec. 18, 1899.) `No Mqdel.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

fai-E a@ n *E 76 ya i7@ .3

. Patented Oct. I6, |900 J. (1. ADAMS.

CONVEYER.

(Application filed Dec. 18, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

l. rrt; Starte JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, OF MARSEILLES, ILLINOIS.

CONVEYER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 659,838, dated October 16, 1900. Application filed December 18, 1899. Serial No. 740,664. lNo model.)

To all whom it may concern: Y

Be it known that l, JOHN QUINcY ADAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marseilles, in the county of La Salle and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oonveyers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to so-called swivelcon veyers or drag-feeders of the universal type that are adapted to be set at any angle to the corn-Sheller or other separating inechanism with which they cooperate, so as to enable the contents of a crib to be rapidly and easily conveyed to the Sheller.

The first feature of my invention is in the novel construction which I have devised whereby sections may be added to the conveyer without increasing the number of sprockeewheels, chains, and other connecting mechanism. As these conveyers have been hitherto constructed the different sections were arranged to overlap each other at the ends, and this construction necessitated a separate feed chain or belt for each section, and each section had to be connected with its adjacent sections by driving mechanism, so as to transmit the power from the belt or chain of one section to its adjacent section. By my impro vein ent the sections are arranged end to end and a drag-chain is employed that can be readily shortened or lengthened, as may be necessary, to accommodate it to the different total lengths of the feeder.

The second feature of my invention relates to the construction of the universaljoint mechanism by which the drag-feeder can be set at any desired angle to the regular feeder.

My invention further relates to certain details of construction, all of whichwill be fully described, and pointed out in the claims hereunto an neXed.

Referring to the drawings, in which the same reference characters are used to designate identical parts in all the views, Figure l is a side elevation of one end of a cornsheller having the regular feeder attached thereto and the drag-feeder in its shortest forni-ft'. c., Wit-hout any removable sections attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the drag-feeder attached as shown in Fig. 1, but with an additional section added. Fig. isa fragmentaryside elevation showing the connections between the regular feeder and the drag-feeder on the opposite side of the' machine from those shown in Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a section through the swiveling mechanism, on an enlarged scale, on the line 4 4 of Fig. l. Fig. 5 isa side elevation of the same mechanism. Fig. 6 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 6 is a detail in side elevation of a por tion of the bearing. Fig. 7 is a plan View of the swiveling mechanism on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail in section on the line 7 7n of Fig. 7. Fig. 8 isaside elevation of the upper end of one of the posts supporting the swiveling mechanism. Fig. 9 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the dragfeeder in central vertical section. Fig. l0 is a plan view of a portion thereof on the same scale. Fig. 1l is a plan view in section on the line 11 l1 of Fig. 9. Fig. l2 is a detail view in section on the line l2 l2 of Fig. 9. Fig. 13 is a similar view in section on the line 13 13 of Fig. 9, and Fig. 14 is a plan View of a casting employed to control the position of the drag-chain.

Referring to Fig. l, A is the separator, and B is the regular feeder, which in itself may be of any ordinary construction, it being adapted to receive the corn from the dragfeeder C into its hopper D, whence it is conveyed by the drag chain or belt E and delivered to the hopper F of the Sheller. I have not shown the details of the construction of this regular feeder B, as such features therein as are novel are the same as shown in the d ragfeeder O and Willbe fully described in connection therewith, and claims upon the novel mechanism are designed to cover said mechanism whether employed in the regular or drag feeder'.

Referring now to the universal swiveling connections between the regular and drag `feeder, G are the posts which support the lower end of the regular feeder, and the upper end of these posts have the semicircnlar outline adapted to receive the cylindrical body portion of the bearings H, which have slotted flanges J projecting downwardly from the outer ends thereof, these bearings being secured to the posts G by the bolts K, passing through said posts and the slots in the lianges J. .Ionrnaled in these bearings l-I is the horizontal shaft L,which has the sprocket- Wheel M splined or otherwise secured on one end thereof, this sprocket-wheel having the sprocket-chain N thereon,by which it receives power from the sprocket-wheel O, secured4 upon a horizontal shaft in the lower end of the regular feeder, which vhorizontal shaft is driven by the drag b'elt or chain E, which in turn receives its power by the customary gear ing and sprocket connections, as shown in@y Figs. 1 and 3. A little at one side of the center of the shaft L is secured the beveled pinion P, which meshes with the beveled pin-ion Q, which is secured to the lower end of the vertical shaft R. This shaft R has its "lower end journaled in the bearing S, formed in the sleeve T, which sleeve,'as will be seen in Fig/ 4, 7., and 72, has the yhorizontal 'anges U, vto which the vertical bearing V, which has the Aeopera'ring flanges W, is secured rby the bolts X. vThis bearing V has the-cylindrical portion which constitutes the bearing proper,

together with the curved arm Y, which ter-Q minates in the flanges W. There is 'also secured to this bearing V the curved shield Z,

ism and disarranging it.

The other end of this rod C' is formed 'with a hook E', as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l, which coperates with the pin or hook on the regular feeder, so as to hold the swivel-` ing mechanism in a vertical position or Aother position that may be necessitated bythe position of the parts andcontour of the ground. Just above the bearing V of the shaft R is secured the beveled pinion F',which meshes with the corresponding pinion G', whichis Secured upon the horizontal shaft H", which is journaled in the bearings to be described. These bearings consist of the two pieces J and K. The piece J' consists of a collar L', having extending therefrom the half-sleeve M', provided with the flanges N', by which the piece J' is bolted to the 'anges -O' on the member K. The rshaft H' is supported in the bearings formed bythe half-sleeve M' and the corresponding half-sleeve P -on the member K', also by the bearingQ', formed in the member K'. These members J'and K' have attached thereto the lbars R', the` lower ends of which are adjustablysecured to the sides of the drag-feederCbybolts passing through Atheelongated slot S'. The upper ends of these bars R' lhavecircular apertures therein, 'the shaft H passi-ng through the aperture in one of these bars, while the 4heavy set-screw T passes Jtihroug'h the other and into the arm U -of themember K'. The central portion of the'memberK' isprovided with the vertical bear-ing V', occupied by the upper end `of the shaft R, which has its eX- treme yupper end turned down, so as to form a shoulder W', =upon which the member K' rests, the bearing being correspondingly reduced soas to form a small aperture, through which the small upper end X' of the shaft R passes. To protect the beveled gears F and 'G from the vcorn or other materials which are being fed, the connecting-web Y is shaped so as tocover a part of the gears, while the shield Z', corresponding in shape and function to the shield Z, is also secured or formed thereon. The outer end of the shaft H' has the sprocket-wheel A2 secured thereon, and this sprocketewheel has thereon the chain B2, which drives the sprocket-wheel C2, which by the mechanism to be described actuates the be'lt a'of the drag-'conveyen The ldrag-conveyed "C consists,- essentially, of the inclined end D2, cooperating with the feeder proper and the lower horizontal end E2, 'and ias many vsections F2l may be interposed between these ends as may be necessary'toeoverth-e'length of the crib from which the corn is 'to be drawn. The end section D2 consists of the vertical sides F2, which are connected by the inclined bottom piece G2 (shown in 9) and which maybe provided with the l'inclined side boards H2 of the customary construction. Journaled in the bearings J2,secured upon the upper lends of vthese sideboards F2,is the horizontal shaft K2, which carries the sprocket-wheel C2 lupon its outer end and Whichhassecure'd thereon just inside of the-side boards F2 the sprocket-wheels L2, rwhich transmit the Ipower to the drag chain lor conveyer. This conveyer'consists of the two chai-ns coperating with the two wheels and made up of the ordinary detachable ilinks M2 and the special links N 2,'which special lirrks are formed with the vertical flanges 02, projecting from one side thereof and arranged to lhave the carrierbars or slats P2, which are.preferablymetallic strips, secured thereto. As will be seen from Figs. l2 and 13,1 secure -o'n the upper side of the bottomYG2 at eitherside the metallic strips Q2, upon which lthe links of the chain slide. The bars P2 have their lower edges projecting down ybelow the strips Q2 close to the bottom, so as to prevent any material getting underneath 'the chain and clogging it. -The end section is similarly constructed, consisting of :the side pieces F2, the side boards H2,which maybe removable, if desired, and the bottom G2, which is also provided with the strips Q2. The extreme outer end is formed lwith the end consisting of the vertical fpor'tio'n R2 and the inclined portion S2, the inclined portion S2 connected with the bottom 'G2 and serving to form protection for the sprocket-wheels T2 from the corn which is thrown into the section. These sprocketw-heels T2 Aare secured upon the ends of the shaft U2 just inside of the sides F2 and carry the drag-chains previously mentioned. The

set-screws V2 may be employed i-n connection with anydesired form of adjustable mechan- IIC liO

ism V3 to regulate the position of the shaft U3 and the tightness of the belt. rPhe adjacent ends of the sections D3 and E3 are provided with the straps X3 and Y3 on either side, having the bearings therein for the rod Z3, by which the sections may be readily coupled or uncoupled, as desired. As shown in Figs. l and 9, the side pieces F3 are cut away at an inclination from the vertical both above and below the bearing-rod Z3, and the bottom pieces G3 of the two sections have their ends concaved, so as to tit closely against this rod, this construction preventing any opening be- .tween the bottom pieces, no matter at what angle they may be to each other owing to the unevenness of the ground,and permitting any necessary adjustment between the sections. To hold the'drag-chains down and prevent any possible raising thereof, so as to permit the corn to get underneath the conveyer, I secure on the inner sides at the lower end of the section D3 the castings A3, which consist of the vertical iiange B3, by which they are bolted to the sides and the horizontal iianges C3, which cooperate with the upper sides of the links of the chain to hold them down. The iiange C3 is preferably curved at its lower end, as at D3, so as to more readily accommodate the change in direction of the chain. To prevent the sagging of the chain on the section D3, I secure on the outer sides of said section, at the upper end thereof, the castings E3, (shown in Figs. l to 3 and 9 and 11,) which consist of the vertical iianges E31, by which they are bolted to the sides and are of the general shape shown in the drawings. The horizontal flange F3 projects inwardly beneath the bottom of the side pieces and into the path of the chain, which is arranged to be sustained thereby, as shown in Figs. 9 and l1, to prevent the unnecessary sag and also to insure a better engagement between the chain and the sprocket-wheels L3. This flange F3 may be curved downward slightly, as shown at G3. The piece G3, constituting the bottom of the section D3, has its upper end G31, preferably formed of sheet metal,fas tened to the wooden bottom G3 and curved over the shaft K3, so as to carry the corn en tirely over and beyond said shaft before it is allowed to fall into the hopper D. The sections E3 and D3 are shown as supported by the posts H3 and J3, respectively, although it will be obvious that the sides might be contin ned down to furnish the support.

The construction of the drag-feeder thus described may be employed where only a small length of crib is tapped; but in case a considerable length is to be reached at one settingof the machine I may employ in addition thereto one or more sections F31, as shown in Fig. 2. These sections F31 are built similarly to the sections E3 and H3, consisting of the sides, side boards, and bottom, and supported by the legs K3. They are provided with straps L3 and M3, adapted to cooperate with the straps X3 and Y3, respectively, as

shown in Fig. 2. To prevent the dragechain from sagging when the sections are in use, one or more castings N3 (shown in detail in Fig. i4) may be employed. These castings have the vertical {iange O3, by which they are secured to the outer sides of the pieces F3, and the horizontal flanges P3, projecting beneath said side pieces and into the path of the chain, with which they cooperate in the sameinanner as the flanges F3 of the castings lt will be readily perceived that when the drag-feeder is to be lengthened or shortened all that is necessary is to connect up the straps L3 and M3 of as many sections as may be desired with the straps X3 and Y3 and to insert or take out as much chain as may be necessary, which can be readily done, owing tothe use of the detachable link construction employed. The parts can be readily adjusted in any desired manner and easily assembled and disassembled for transportation. Y

While I have shown my invention as embodied in the form which I at present consider best adapted to carry out its purposes, it will be understood that it is capable of some modifications and that I do not desire to be limited in the interpretation of the following claims except as may be necessitated by the state of the art'.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is*

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of the two sections adjustable relative to each other to vary the horizontal angle between them, a shaft journaled in each end of each of said sections, a drag chain or belt in each section cooperating with said shafts, with universatjoint connections between said shafts of the adjacent ends of said sections for trasmittiug the power from one of said shafts to the other in any position of adjustment between said sections.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of the two sections adjustable relative to each other to Vary the horizontal angle between them, a shaft journaled in each end of each of said sections, a drag chain or belt in each section cooperating with said shafts, with universal-joint connections between said shafts in the adjacent ends of said sections for transmitting the power from one of said shafts to the other in any position of adjustment between said sections, said connections comprising "intermediate shafts to which said shafts in the adjacent. ends of the sections are geared, and a crossshaft geared to said intermediate shafts.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of the two sections adjustable relative to each other to vary the horizontal angle between them, a shaft journaled in each end of each of said sections, a drag chain or belt in each section cooperating with said shafts; with universal-joint connections between said shafts in the adjacent ends of said sections for transmitting the power from one IOC IOS

IIO

combination lof the two sections adjustable relative to each other to varyjthe horizontal angle between them, ashaft j'ourn aled in each end of each section, anendless dragchain or belt in each section cooperating withthfe shafts therein, with universal-joint connections between the shafts in the adjacent ends zfor transmitting'lthe power from one of said shafts to the other in any position of adj ustment'between said sections, said Iconnections comprising 'a bevel-gear on each of two intermediate shafts geared to 'the shafts in the adja- @entends of the sections,a cross-shaft carrying bevel-gears meshing with the bevel-gears on said intermediate shafts, and a suitable support for said cross-shaft consisting of a sleeve surrounding the lower intermediate shaft and having an arm Y supporting the vertical bearing V for said cros-s-shaft, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In a Adevice of the lclass described, the combination of the two sections yadjustable relative to Leach other to -vary the horizontal angle between them, ashaft j ournaled'in each end of each of said sections, a drag chain -or belt in each vsection coperating with' the shafts therein, a support for the lower end'of the receiving-section, and universal swiveling connections resting on said 'support for connecting the shafts in the adjacent ends of the sections, the upper end of the discharging-section resting on said universal swiveling-connections, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of the two sections adjustable relative to each other to vary the horizontal angle between them, a shaft j ournaled lin each end of each of said sections, a drag chain or belt in each section cooperating with the shafts therein, a support forthe lower end of the receiving-section, and universal swiveling connections carried by said support for connecting theshafts 'in `the adjacent ends of the sections, said swiveliugconnections consisting of a frame in which are journaled the two iuterxnediate'shafts geared to the shafts in the adjacent'ends of the sections and each carrying a bevel-gear, and a cross-shaft also mounted in said frame carrying bevel-gears meshing with the bevel-gears on said intermediate shafts, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. The combination of the sections B and Gasse C adjustable relative to each other to vary the angle between them, and having the shafts L and H respectively journaled therein, with universal-joint connections for transmitting power from fthe shaft L to the shaft H', said connections co mp-risi-n g the bevel-gears P and Gr secured thereon respectively, the intermediate shaft R having thebevel-pinions Q and F' thereon lmeshing with the be'vel-pinions P and G respectively, and a 'suitable support foi` the shaft Rvconsisting of the sleeve T surrounding the shaft Land 'ha-ving the yarm Y supporting the-vertical bearing V for said intermediate shaft and the shield Z covering the bevel-gears P yand Q.

f8. In a device of the class described, the combination of the bearings H, the -shaft L jou rnaled therein and having vthe *bevel-gear P secured thereto, lthe sleeve T surrounding said shaft and having the bearing S therein, the arm Y secured -to said sleeve T and having the vertical 'bearing V supported thereby, the shaft R mounted in said bearings S 'and V and having the bevel-gear Q meshingwith the bevel-'gear P and the bevel-gear F secured near the upper -end thereof, the shaft H having the Vbearingconsisting of the member J'secured tothe member K', Athe mem-ber K having a bearing therein `for the shaft R which supports it, andthe bevel-gear G upon the shaft H meshing with the bevel-gear F, substantially as and for the purpose described.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of the bearings H, lthe shaft L journaled therein and having the bevel-gear P -secured thereto, the sleeve T surrounding said shaftand having the bearing S therein, the arm Y secured `to said sleeve Tand having 'the vertical 'bearing V supported thereby and the lshield Z, the-shaft R mounted in said bearings S and V and having :the :bevel-gear Q meshing with the bevelgear P and the bevelgear F secured 4near the yupper 'end IOO IIO

thereof, the shaft H having the bearing con- 1 sisting of the member J secured to the member K', the member K having a bearing therein for the shaft R which supportsit and carrying'the shield Z, and the bevel-gear Gupon the shaft H meshing with the bevel-gear F, substantially as and for the purpose described.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with an -end section, a conveying-shaftjournaled in its outer end, ofanother end section, a conveying-shaft journaled in its outer end, said sections being adapted to be joined directly to each other at'their inner ends, a removable intermediate section adapted to be interposed between said end sections and joined directly to their inner ends, a single adjustable endless drag chain or belt cooperating With said shafts and lwith the bottoms of said sections, and connections for joining the ends of said sections inthe manner described, said connections being adapted to yield vertically to automatically adj ust the sections to uneven ground upon which they may be placed.

ll. In a device of the class described, the combination with an inclined end section, a conveying-shaft journaled in the upper end thereof, of a su bstantially-horizon tal end secY tion, a con veying-shaft journaled in the outer end thereof, said sections being adapted to be joined directly together at theirinner ends, a removable intermediate section adapted to be interposed between said end sections and joined directly thereto at their inner ends, a single adjustable endless drag chain or belt cooperating with said shafts and with the bottoms of said sections, a guide located on the lower end of said inclined section and adapted to hold the drag-chain adjacent to the bottom of the sections throughout their length, and connections for joining the ends of said sections in the manner described, said connections being adapted to yield to automatically adjust the sections to uneven ground upon which they may be placed, substantially as and for the purpose described.

12. In a device of the class described, a trough comprising the end sections consisting of the sides and the bottom pieces secured between the top and bottom of said sides, said sections being adapted to be joined directlj` together at their inner ends, the conveying-shafts journaled in the outer ends of said sections, the removable intermediate section similarly constructed, but without anyshafts and adapted to be inserted between said end sections, the cooperating ends of said sections being jointed in the plane of the bottom pieces and having their sides cut away at an angle above and below said bottom pieces to permit changes in the angles between said sections to accommodate them to irregular ground without opening the bottoms thereof, and an endless drag chain or belt cooperating with said conveying-shafts, substantially as and for the purpose described.

13. In a device of the class described, the trough comprising the end sections each consisting of the sides and the bottom piece secured between the top and bottom of said sides, said sections beingadapted to be joined directly together at their inner ends, the con- Veying-shafts journaled in the outer ends of said sections, the removable intermediate section constructed similarly to the end sections, but without the conveying-shafts, and adapted to be inserted between them, the cooperating ends of said sections being joined bya pivot-rod passing therethrough at the plane of the bottom pieces, and having their sides cut away at each end at an angle above and below said rod so as to permit the changesin the angles between said sections to accommodate them to irregular ground without separating the bottom pieces, and an endless drag chain or belt cooperating with said shafts.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

Vitnesses:

LOUISE E. SERAGE, HATTIE O. HALvonsoN. 

